If you use a mouth guard while you sleep, you usually need the guard to prevent bruxism or teeth grinding – something that often happens when a person is resting. Bruxism or other related sleep disorder can lead to tiredness during the day. That is why we often recommend a mouth guard to assist dental patients while they sleep. However, not all mouth guards are alike. That is because they are used for different reasons.
What Types of Dental-related Conditions Require Mouth Guards?
Again, if you grind your teeth, you should wear a mouthguard that is customized to fit nicely in the mouth. You can also use a customized mouth guard to help you with a problem, such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where a person temporarily stops breathing while he or she is sleeping. This condition can prevent your brain from receiving a sufficient quantity of oxygen, which can increase your risk or stroke or heart disease. A mouthguard used for sleep apnea is made to push the tongue and lower jaw forward so your airway remains open. Some of these mouth guards feature a strap that can be adjusted around the chin and head. Mouth guards used for snoring tend to be similar to mouth guards used for sleep apnea.
How Mouth Guards Help You Sleep
When you use a mouth guard to prevent sleep apnea or snoring, or you wear one to prevent bruxism, you can rest easier at night. We can help by creating impressions of your teeth and making a mouth guard that is designed especially for teeth grinding, sleep apnea, or snoring. You can also use mouth guards for sports or when you wear braces.
If you feel you could benefit from wearing a mouth guard, give our office a call about your options. We can help fit you for a mouth guard that will help you preserve your smile while helping you get a better night's sleep. Give us a call today and find out more how a mouth guard can make you feel less irritable or sleepy during the day.
If you use a mouth guard while you sleep, you usually need the guard to prevent bruxism or teeth grinding – something that often happens when a person is resting. Bruxism or other related sleep disorder can lead to tiredness during the day. That is why we often recommend a mouth guard to assist dental patients while they sleep. However, not all mouth guards are alike. That is because they are used for different reasons.